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Ravens top 5 first round targets in the 2020 NFL Draft

By Ian Higgins

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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C.J. Henderson 2020 NFL mock draft
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images /

Florida. 1. player. C.J. Henderson. 840. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB

C.J. Henderson is one of the top cornerbacks of the 2020 NFL draft with a different skill set than those around him. Much of Henderson’s peers play a physical man-to-man coverage style that trails in coverage, utilizing athleticism. Henderson is another rendition of the popular cover-three corner who stays over the top of his matchup and can break down or read routes with football IQ instead of athleticism. Another part of Henderson’s game that has made him a defensive cornerstone at Flordia has been his ability to come off the edge on corner blitzes and get to the quarterback.

Lined up across from another zone corner in Marcus Peters and backed up by all-pro safety Earl Thomas, the addition of Henderson would form the base for an excellent secondary for the future. Earl Thomas has already been a part of an elite cover-three secondary in the ‘Legion of Boom,’ and could be the veteran presence in yet another elite cover-three secondary.

Similarly to Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, Peters and Henderson can both stay outside and have the middle handled by Thomas, whilst strong safety Tony Jefferson (equivalent to Kam Chancellor) drops into the middle and is free to play more aggressively near the line of scrimmage. Jefferson is also more capable in coverage than Chancellor, meaning Baltimore has the freedom to use either of the two safeties in either role.

Henderson is not only a continuation of the popularity of cover-three in the NFL but a perfect fit for the future of this defense. Jimmy Smith will be out of the door this offseason, and Henderson is the type of corner who will fit well into Baltimore’s defense with the right coaching and scheme.

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